excellēcie aboue other men or the place whereof he is aboue other places But neither of these haue euer been neither hereafter can bee Therefore that office is vnlawfull Therefore if the office of the Archbishop be not of God if the originall of it bee vnknowne if in the Churche it be needlesse if all the giftes that God hath bestowed vppon his Ministerie bee appropriated vnto those Church officers whereof he is none if none may lawfully bestowe such an office vpon any if it can neither bee incident vnto any one man for his excellencie nor his place for preheminence then must it needes follow that his office is vnlawfull Caluin in his Institut booke 4. cap. 11. sect 7. alleadgeth diuers reasons to this purpose and Beza in his booke of Diuorcements stretcheth the same to all the inferiour officers vnder him saying Officials Proctours Promotours and all that swinish filth now of long time hath wasted the church So doth Peter Martyr vppon the Rom. 13. speaking against ciuill Iurisdiction in Bishops doth by the same reasons condemne it in their substitutes But this being the corner stone of their building they labour to support it with many props the most speciall wherof are these 1 Obiection Cypran saith lib 1. Epist. ad Cornelium Neither haue heresies and schismes risen of any other occasion then of that that the Priest of God is not obeyed neither one Priest for the time and one Iudge for the time in steede of Christ thought vppon to whome if the whole brotherhood woulde bee obedient according to Gods teaching no man woulde mooue any thing against the Colledge of Priests Answere This place is alleadged for the Pope and the answere that M. Iewel and others make to it serueth our turne onely let this be noted that Cyprian speaketh of the people at Rome that had receiued another Bishop besides Cornelius who was an heretike for all the course of his writings condemneth this superioritie It is expoounded by M. Iewel booke 1. sect 4. diuision 5. of euery Bishop and so is it by M. Nowel against Dorman booke 1. pag. 25. and also by M. Foxe tom 1. fol. 93. See T. C. in his 1. replie page 98. c. 2 Obiection The authoritie of the Archbishop preserueth vnitie Answere Cyprian lib. 4. Epist. 9. saith that vnitie is reserued by the agreement of Bishoppes that is of Ministers one with another 3 Obiection It compoundeth cōtrouersies that els would grow to many heades without any speciall remedie Answere Cyprian lib. 1. Epist. 13. saith that the plentifull bodie and companie of Elders are as it were the glewe of mutuall concord that if any of our company be authour of heresie the rest should helpe 4 Obiection Ierome vppon Tit. 1. saith that in the beginning a Bishop and Priest meaning a teaching Elder were all one but when men began to say I am of Paul I am of Apollo c. It was decreed that one shoulde bee chosen to beare rule ouer the rest Answere From the beginning it was not so the saying of Tertul. contra Prax. is fit for this that is true whatsoeuer is first and that is false whatsoeuer is latter and Ierome saith in the place alleaged that this authoritie is by custome and not by any institution of God if it had been the best waye to take away diuisions the Apostles in whose times the controuersies did arise would haue taken the same order 5 Obiectiō Caluin saith that the Apostles had one among them to gouerne the rest Answere That was not in superioritie but for order to propound the matters gather the voyces such like which is meete to be in euery well ordered meeting but his authoritie is no more ouer the rest then the speaker in the Parliament hath ouer the other knights and Burgesses 6 Obiection Paul was superior to Timothie and Titus Answere Paul and they had diuers offices whereof the Apostles office was the chiefe the like is to bee saide of Timothie and Titus hauing superioritie ouer the other Ministers for that they were Euangelists a degree aboue ordinarie Ministers Therefore if the place alleaged out of Cyprian make nothing for the Archb. if vnitie be not preserued by him but by the Bishops among themselues if his authoritie make nothing to the taking away of controuersies if it bee meerely inuented by man and not from the beginning if it bee by custome and not by any ordinaunce of God if neither one Apostle ouer the rest nor any of them ouer the Euangelistes nor of the Euangelists ouer the Pastours and Teachers will serue to proue their authoritie then must it needes followe that it is vtterly vnlawfull No man may be ordained vnto any office in the Church vntill there be such a place voide as hee is fit for T. C. booke 1. pag. 61. Whitgift pag. 222. 1 As was the 12. place for Matthias so is a certain church to euery Church officer But Matthias was not ordained vnto the place of an Apostle vntill Iudas by hanging himselfe had made it voide Act. 1. 20. Therefore may none be ordained vnto any office in the Church before the place where he may be imployed be destitute of such a one 2 As the Apostles did in planting of the churches so must it be done in the building thereof for euer But they ordeined neither Pastour Teacher Elder or Deacon butto some certaine church that had need thereof Therfore may none be ordained vnto any office vntill a place be voide that hath need of him 3 Those thinges that be of one beginning continuance and ending cannot bee one before or after another But a Minister and the execution of his Ministerie in a lawful standing be so for they be relatiues and haue reference one vnto the other Therfore a Minister ought not to be ordained before there be a Ministerie whereunto he is to be allotted 4 If none ought to be called to be a shepheard that hath no flocke of sheepe to keepe neither any watchman that is not allotted to some place to watch then may none bee ordained to any office before there be a place void for him for Ministers are in this sense tearmed shepheards and watchmen But the former is true as euery simple man can easilie perceiue Therefore the latter is true also 5 To doe contrary to the precepts and practise of the Apostles is vnlawfull But to ordaine any officer without a certaine place wherein he may bee imployed is contrarie to the precepts and practise of the Apostles as it appeareth Tit. 1. 5. Act. 14. 23. Therfore to ordaine any officer of the church without a certaine place whereunto he is to be allotted is vnlawfull 6 It was ordained that no Elder Deacon or any other Ecclesiasticall officer should be ordained a Apolelymenos that is loosely or let at randone but as afterwarde is expounded specially in a Church citie or towne 7 The ordination that is made without a title let
it bee voide and in what Church one is intituled let him there remaine 8 Hee complaineth that Ministers were ordained beeing chosen by no church and so went here and there hauing no certaine place 9 That action which neuer is read to be practised but by idolators is vnlawfull To haue wandering officers is onely found to be in idolaters as appeareth Iudg 17. 8. Therefore it is vnlawfull Therefore If the Apostles ordained not Matthias vntill the place was voide if in planting of Churches they euer allotted officers to their proper places if Minister and Ministerie be of one beginning continuance and ending if it bee with a Minister and his ministerie as with a shephearde and his flocke that hee cannot bee the one but in respect of hauing the other if it be lawfull to transgresse the precepts and practise of the Apostles if no Minister in the church bee ordained at randone if the ordination that is without a title bee voide if Ierome complained of it as a great fault in his time if no example be found of it but in Idolaters then it must needes followe that to ordaine any church-Church-officer vntill there be such a place voide as he is fit for is vtterly vnlawful and so the Bb. making of manie Ministers at once licencing of wandering Preachers is contrarie to the worde of God They will haue something to say for euery action they do be it neuer so shameful that which they alleagde for this is that Paul and Barnabas did wander The Apostles office and so the Euangelists as assistants vnto them was to preach the worde and plant Churches in euery part of the worlde but the order that they left is a president for vs which is that euerie Churche haue their proper officers and that there be no other els where to be found CHAP. 3. EVerie church-officer ought to execute the office committed vnto him with all faithfull diligence and consequently bee continuallie resident vppon his charge T. C. booke 1. page 65. The denie not the proposition but the consequent that is inferted vpon it as appeareth by their writings Whitgift pag. 246. and by their daylie practise in giuing dispensations for many benefices The reasons we alleage to proue the necessitie of perpetuall residence and the vnlawfulnes of nonresidence be these that follow 1 A shepheard hath a flocke to the ende to feede it continually The Minister is a shepheard and his charge a flocke Therefore he ought to feede it continually and consequently to be perpetually resident for how can he feede them frō whom he is absent 2 Where God doth place any man there his continuall trauaile is needfull for God is most wise in disposing euerie thing But God placeth euery right Minister ouer that people which is his charge Therefore his continuall trauaile is needful there and consequently he may not discontinue 3 Flockes that are in danger are by carefull shepheards watched night and day Luke 2. 8. Euery congregation is a flocke in danger for the enemie goeth about like a roaring lyon 1. Pet. 5. 8. and soweth tares whilest men sleepe Matth. 13. 25. Therefore euery congregation is to be watched night and day by the Minister thereof and consequently hee may not be nonresident 4 If his duetie to them requireth so muche trauaile as may continually set him on work then may he not bee non-resident But it is euident that it doth so to all them that either know by the worde of God what studie prayer doctrine exhortation c. bee required of him or maketh any conscience of giuing account for the soules committed to their charge Therefore may not they be nonresident 5 If the Minister cannot apply himselfe fruitfully to the capacity of his people vnlesse he haue particular knowledge of their disposition and capacitie then is it not lawfull for him to be nonresident for by continuall residence among them he may know them and not els But the former is true as the small knowledge that the people get by generall teaching doth euidently declare Therefore it is not lawfull for him to be nonresident 6 If the Ministers of the Gospell bee as narrowly tied to their charges as the Priests vnder the law then may they not be nonresident For they were alwaies readie in the Temple to answere the doubts 1. Sam. 1. 9. But it is cleare that they are because men are now as hardly trained vnto godlinesse and the enemie is as wrathfull as hee was then Therefore they may not be nonresident 7 If the Minister must be an example to his people then must he bee daily present with them that they may beholde him But the former is true 1. Tim. 4. 12. Therfore is the latter true also 8 Hee whom the sheepe are to follow in and out must know by the voyce ought to bee continually among them A good Minister of the worde is such a one Ioh. 10. 4. Therfore he must be resident among them 9 None can bee alwayes readie to feede his flocke that is absent from it Euery Minister must be alwaies ready to feed his flocke because it dependeth vpon him 1. Pet. 5. 2. Therefore euery Minister is to be resident with his flocke 10 Hee that must take heede to his flocke watch ouer it and feede it must be resident continually with it Euery Minister must doe so Actes 20. 28. Therefore c. 11 If Satan be the cause of nonresidence then is it vtterlie vnlawfull But Satan is the cause of it 1. Thes. 2. 17. 18. Therefore it is vtterly vnlawfull 12 That which abridgeth the loue of God to his people and comfort to the Minister that same is vnlawfull But not to be resident doth both Therefore it is vnlawfull 13 That which hindereth the louing familiaritie that shoulde bee betwixt the Minister and his people that same is vnlawfull But nonresidence doth so for it maketh them straunge one to another and argueth small loue in him towards them Therefore it is vnlawfull 14 To be absent from them that haue interest in vs and continuall need of vs is vnlawfull which wee can see to bee true in our seruants c. But the congregation hath an interest in the Minister and continuall neede of him Therefore it is vnlawfull for him to be absent from them 15 If the Priestes might not dwell farre from the Temple then may not Ministers bee nonresident But the former is true as appeareth by this that they had houses builded close to the Temple 1. Chron. 28. 13. Therefore the latter is true also seeing the residence of the one is as needful as the other as appeareth in the sixt reason 16 Let no Clarke be placed in two charges for it is filthie marchandize and no man can serue two maisters and euery one must tarrie in that place wherevnto he is called 17 Damasus compareth them that set ouer their charges to others to harlottes that put out their children that they
to that place whereto he is to be called T. C. 1. book page 38. Disci Ecclesiast fol. 46. They thinke one may doe it as appeareth by the booke of ordering c. Whitgift page 134. and 135. and their slight passing it ouer thorowe the Archdeacons handes The former is prooued and the latter disprooued thus 1 Those that are to ordayne must haue particular knowledge of the parties to bee ordayned or els they breake the rule prescribed them 1. Tim. 5. 22. whiche cannot be without examination But the Eldershippe is to ordayne euerie church-Church-officer as shall appeare in the Chap. of Ordination Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership to examine c. 2 The matter of greatest importance in the gouernment of the Church must be done by the most able gouuernours of the same The approuing or disprouing of church-Church-officers is the matter of greatest importance because the consequence of ruling well is the best or ill the worst and the Eldership is the Senate of most able gouernours in the church as shall appeare in the chap. of Eldership Therefore the Eldership is to examine c. 3 The way whereby a mans insufficiencie is best espied and his abilitie discerned is the fittest to examine them that are to be admitted But by the Eldership consisting of diuers his insufficiencie is best espied and his abilitie best discerned for the common prouerbe telleth vs That many eyes doe see more then one Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 4 They are to examine Church-officers that are least subiect to be blinded with partialitie But the Eldershipp is least subiect to partialitie both for that they be many who are not so easilie ouer-ruled by affection or fauour as one as also and that especially for that it being the Lordes owne ordinance as shall appeare wee are to perswade our selues that his spirit shall guyde them Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 5 The way that was vsed in the Apostles time in examining is of vs to bee followed vnles some reason out of the worde to perswade the conscience can be alleadged to the contrarie which none haue euer yet done But many vsed in the Apostles time to examine as appeareth in choosinge out one to be in the place of Iudas Act. 1. 22. 23. and fit men for Deacons Actes 6. 5. whereof the gouuernours especially were some for that they were to ordayne vpon knowledge as is saide in the first reason Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 6 They whose testimonie the people may best credit are to examine them that are to be admitted but the people may best credite the iudgement of a companie of able and sufficient men which the Eldershippe rightlie established must needes be Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 7 Examination belongeth vnto them which may moste perswade the people of his sufficiencie and so procure greatest reuerence vnto him in his place But the examination by the Eldership is such Therefore it belongeth to the Eldershippe c. Therefore if they that are to ordayne must examine if it be a matter of greatest waight in the gouuernement of the Church and they the most able to dispatch it if by them his sufficiencie or insufficiencie be best founde out if they bee hardliest carried away with affection or partialitie if the examination was such in the Apostles time if the people may in reason giue most credite to the examination that is by such if that kinde of examination perswade the people best of his sufficiencie and procure him greatest reuerence in his place then must it needes followe that it partayneth to the Eldership to examine those that are to be admitted to anie office in the Church There is nothing obiected against this that hath anie shewe of reason in it and therefore it were needles to set anie thing downe CHAP. 6 BEfore consent be giuen to any man vnto any calling in the Church it must appeare by sufficient triall due examination that he is qualified with those giftes that the worde of God requireth in one of that place Discip. Ecclesiast fol. 44. T. C. 2. booke 1. part page 368. and in manie other places They gainsay this in two points first in maintayning their reading ministerie secondlie in gouerninge the Church by their commissaries and officialls whiche both shalbe ouerthrowen if we prooue these two propositions followinge to be true by the worde of God No man ought to bee receyued vnto the ministerie but such as be able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainesayers The Church ought not to be gouerned by commissaries officialls and chauncellors 1 He that may be receyued into the ministerie must bee able to teache the people whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded Matth. 28. 20. Onely he that is able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainsayers can teache the people whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded Therefore none must bee receiued into the the ministerie but such as be able to teache c. 2 That which is to be done conditionally may not bee done if that condition be not kept Men are to bee receyued into the ministerie conditionally that is if they be vnreproueable Tit. 1. 5. 6. Therefore if they be not such as bee there described they may not bee receyued and consequentlie none may be receyued but such as be able to teach c. 3 That which cannot be done without the manifest breach of Gods commaundement may not bee done at all To receyue any that be not able to teache is a manifest breache of Gods commaundement 1. Tim. 3. 1. Tit. 1. 9. Therefore no man ought to be receiued into the ministerie that is not able to teache c. 4 They whom the Lord refuseth to be his ministers may not be receyued into the ministerie for the ministerie beeing the Lordes haruest wee may admit none to labour therein but onely such as he hath giuen liking of by the rules of his worde The Lorde refuseth to be his ministers all those that can not teache Hosea 4. 6. Therefore such as are not able to teache may not bee receyued and consequentlie none may be receyued but those that be able to teache c. 5 He that may be admitted into the ministerie must bee able to diuide the worde of God aright 2. Tim. 2. 15. Onelie he that is able to teache and conuince the gainsayers can diuide the worde of God aright Therefore none may bee admitted into the ministerie but he that is able to teache c. 6 He that may be admitted into the ministerie must haue a treasurie furnished with olde thinges and newe and must be able to bring it foorth as occasion shall serue Mat. 13. 25. Onely he that is able to teache c. is such a one Therefore onely he may be admitted c. 7 He that can espie the enimie and giue warning aforehande howe to resist him may bee receyued into the ministerie Ezek. 33. 7. None
23. which can not be vnderstoode of preachinge Elders onelie considering that the scarcitie of them was such as Paule was constrayned to sende Timothie and Titus to great cities whiche he could hardlie spare as hee often testifieth Therefore there ought to be such Elders as are onely to assiste in gouuernement in euery congregation 2 Those which God hath ordayned to helpe forwarde the building of the Church ought to bee in euery congregation vnles it may appeare that some cōgregation needeth not so much helpe as Christ hath appointed But Christ hath ordained Elders in the Church for the helping forwarde of the building of the Church 1. Cor. 12. 28. Therefore such Elders ought to be in euery congregation 3 That whiche being wanting the bodie can not be entiere that same must be in euery congregation But the Elders can not be wanting and the church be an entiere body Rom. 12. 8. which euery congregation should be Rom. 12. 4. Therefore there ought to bee such Elders in euerie congregation 5 If the worde of God doe describe such Elders in the church then ought they to bee in euerie congregation whiche is cleare by this that euery Congregation hath neede of them as well as any and that euery congregation must haue all the other officers of the church and that euery congregation is of equall dignitie in the bodie of Christ But the word of God describeth vnto vs such Elders 1. Ti. 5. 17. Therfore they ought to be in euery congregation 5 There is no Church that can stande without hir Eldership or Councell 6 It belongeth onely to the Bishop to baptize and the Elder Deacon may not doe it but vpon the bishops licence 7 Neither Elder nor Deacon haue right but vppon the Bishops commaundement so much as to baptize 8 Elders fell awaye thorough the ambition of the teachers 9 Valerius the bishop did contrarie to the custome of the Apostolicall churches in appointing Augustin to preach being but an Elder 10 After that Arrius was conuicted of heresie it was decreed that Elders should no more preache 11 The number of the Elders of euery Church ought to be encreased according to the multitude of the people 12 Speaking of the Elders that were to assist the minister he lamenteth that it is so fallen out of the church that the name doeth scarse remaine 13 Certaine of the people were ioyned with the pastour in the gouernement of the Church because the pastour was not able to doe all him selfe 14 There were Elders that did assist the Minister in the gouernement of the church c. 15 Whitgift confesseth that in the primitiue Churche they had in euery Church certaine Seniors pag. 638. Lett it then appeare out of the worde to satisfie the conscience how it may be left out 16 If the platforme set downe to Timothie and Titus bee for all Churches then must Elders be in all for these Elders are there described But it is a platforme for all Churches that to the ende of the worlde 1. Tim. 6. 14. Therefore they ought to be in euery congregation 17 That which is contayned in euery Ministers commission to teache and practise must be in euerie congregation but the ordination and practize of that office is in euery ministers commission Matth. 28. 20. or els they ordayned Elders without warrant from Christ which none dare affirme Therefore there must be Elders in euery congregation 18 Wheresoeuer a Bishop must be there must also the Elders be which appeareth by this that where the one is described there is the other also But a Bishoppe must be in euery congregation as I haue prooued sufficiently in the 10. chap. Therefore there ought to be Elders in euery congregation 19 If the Apostles laboured for vniformitie in the least things and established in all Churches one order then must there bee Elders in euery Congregation for they were in some as all men doe confesse But the former is true as not onely the viewe of their practize declareth but also the Apostles expresse wordes Thus I teache in all Churches Therefore the latter is true also that in euery Congregation there must be such Elders Therefore if the Apostles established Elders in euery congregation if Christ hath esteemed their helpe needefull to further the building of his Church if without them a congregation can not be entiere if the worde of God saye that they ought to be in the Church if it was continued so long after the Apostles time and bee approoued by the testimonie of manie verie learned both old newe writers confessed by the greatest aduersarie vnto them if they bee within the compasse of euerie ministers commission if they are to bee wheresoeuer a Bishop must be if the Apostles established vniformitie euen in the meanest things then must it needes followe that there ought to be such Elders in euery congregation as are to assiste the Minister in the gouuernement of the same They confesse it was so in the Apostles time but seeme to saye somewhat that it can not be vnder a christian Magistrate thus 1 Obiection God hath giuen the soueraigne authoritie ouer his Church to the christian Magistrate which these Elders would abridge Answere No more then the Eldership abridged the souueraingrie of Dauid oner Israell for his gouernement is temporall and theirs spirituall 2 Obiection Gualter vpon the 1. Cor. 5. denieth it to bee needfull vnder a christian Magistrate Answere Gualter denieth excommunication vnder a christian Magistrate hee is as partiall in this argument as Whitgift 3 Obiection The Prince hath the authoritie that the Elders had Answere That is no truer then to saye the Prince hath authoritie to preache the worde c. for these be thinges that his high authoritie must see done but he may doe none of them him selfe But there be many reasons which may bee alleadged to prooue that they are at the least as necessarie vnder a christian Magistrate in these dayes as they were in the time of the Apostles as namely these 1 The lesse able that Ministers are to direct their people in the wayes of godlines the more neede they haue of the assistaunce that God hath allowed them in his worde But Ministers are nowe lesse able especially vnder Christian Magistrates when men are ouertaken with ease and peace whiche quench good things then they were in the time of the Apostles Therefore there is as great if not greater neede of Elders nowe then was in the time of the Apostles 2 If christian Magistrates be to maintayne the order that Christ hath set downe for the gouernement of his Churche then must there be Elders in it vnder a christian Magistrate for Elders are appoynted of Christ 1. Cor. 12. 8. But christian Magistrates are to maintaine the order that Christ hath sette downe for the ruling of his Church Isai 49. 23. Therefore there must be Elders in the church vnder a
ouer them bring hither and slea them before me Luke 19. 27. The whiche fearefull sentence that we may auoide let euery one of vs ae may stande with our seuerall callings carefully endeuour to aduaunce this kingdome here whiche among other assurances giuen vs from the Lord shalbe a testimonie vnto vs that we shall haue part in that glorie which shalbe reuealed hereafter Nowe concerning the order of this booke to direst thee good Reader vnto thy further instruction in the pointes therof Thou hast in euery chapter diuers proofes out of the holy worde of God whiche must bee the things wherewith thou mayest safely informe thy conscience theÌ„ shalt thou finde also argumentes drawen from reason rightlie ruled by the same word lastly because our aduersaries charg vs that we desire a thing not knowen vnto the olde writers nor agreed vpon among the newe thou hast here the witnes of them both in so plentifull and vniforme wise as may plainly declare that all godly learned men of all times haue giuen testimonie vnto the trueth of it The most of the things that are here expressed I acknowledge to be gathered out of the bookes that haue bin published and are extant purposelie concerning this argument as may appeare in the seuerall points wherein thou art sent vnto them Nowe least eyther thou shouldest bee deceyued with a diuers impression or thinke me to misalleadge the authours I am to shew thee what bookees I haue followed The 1. booke of T. C. twise printed I follow the latter of Ecclesiasticall Discipline I followe the Latine printed 1574. and the last booke of D. Whitgift which containeth all the former in it The rest as I take it haue beene but once printed and therefore carrie no doubt in them If thou be satisfied herewith giue God the glory and promote the cause by prayer all other good means that thy calling may affoord and pray for vs that we may neuer shrinke nor be ouerthrowen by the strength of them that fight against it A Table of Discipline the particular heads whereof are handled in the seuerall Chapters according to the number wherewith they are noted as followeth The Discipline of the Churche is the order that God hath prescribed in his wordâ— for the ruling of the same cap. 1. The offices and officers of whiche are to bee considered in Generall the calling whereunto to wit to A certaine office Chap. 2. Execute his office faithfully Chap. 3. how it muste be by Election whiche must be done by The people chap. 4. Examination chap. 5. Consent onely to a man fit for the place chap. 6. ordination By whom it must be by the eldership Chap. 7. The maner how by publik praier with the people cap. 8. laying on of hands chap. 9. Particular the officers offices Simple by theÌ„selues Bishops Pastours chap. 10. Doctours chap. 11. Deacons or church seruants Ouerseers chap. 12. Distributers chap. 13. Compound the Synode Ecclesiasticall what Be the parties Pastours Doctours and Elders chap. 14. Is the authoritie thereof chap. 15. wherein it consisteth in placing and displacing chap. 16. CeÌ„sures by VVord chap. 17. deed Suspention cap 18. Excommunication cap. 19. A DEMONSTRATION of Discipline CHAP. 1. The diffinition of Discipline containeth this proposition holden by vs. THE worde of God describeth perfectly vnto vs that forme of gouerning the Church which is lawfull and the officers that are to execute the same froÌ„ the which no Christian Churche ought to swarue Admonition in the Preface Ecclesiasticall discipl fol. 5. T. C. first booke pag. 26. Counter-poyson pag. 8 Discourse of gouernment pag. 1. c. The assertion of the BB. and their adherents THe word of God describeth not any exact forme of Discipline neither are the offices and officers namely particularly expressed in the Scriptures but in some points left to the discretion and libertie of the Churche Whitgift in preface and page 84. to the answere to the Abstract pag. 33. The proofe of the former is the disproofe of the latter which is thus declared 1 These things write I vnto thee c. out of which place I reason thus That end which Paul respected in writing vnto Timothie doth the holy ghost direct all Ministers vnto for euer for it must be kept 1. Tim. 6. 14. But he wrote to direct him in the establishing and building of the Church Therefore that worde must direct Ministers for euer and consequently they neither may adde to nor take from it but gouerne it onely by the rules that be there prescribed 2 Euery house ought to be ruled by the orders of the skil full wise and carefull housholder onely But the Churche is the house of God and God is such a housholder Therefore the Churche ought to bee ruled by the orders of God onely which are no where to be had but in his word 3 That which teacheth euery good way teacheth also how the Church must bee gouerned But the worde of God teacheth euerie good way Pro. 2. 9. therefore it teacheth how the Church must be gouerned 4 We cannot glorifie God but by obedience to his word in all that we doe we must glorifie God 1. Cor. 10. 31. Therfore in all that we doe there must be obedience to the word and consequently in gouerning his Church 5 If meate and drinke bee not sanctified vnto vs but by the word and prayer then much lâ—sse is any thing holy which is done in the gouernment of the Church besides the worde But the former is true by the testimonie of the Apostle 1. Tim. 4. 5. therefore the latter must be true also 6 All lawfull things are of faith Rom. 14. 23. All lawfull things that are of faith haue a warrant from the word for the worde is the foundation of faith therefore all things lawfull haue their warrant from the worde and consequently euery lawfull action in the gouernment of the Church 7 Either hath God left a prescript forme of gouernment for the Church vnder the new Testament or he is lesse carefull for it now then hee was vnder the lawe for his care is in guiding it But hee is as carefull nowe for his Church as hee was then Therefore hath hee left a prescript forme to gouerne it 8 Hee that was as faithfull as Moses left as cleare instruction both for the building of faith and gouernment of the Churche as Moses did But Christe was as faithfull in Gods house Heb. 3. 2. therfore he left as cleare instruction for them both as Moses but Moses gaue direction euen for euery particular as appeareth in the building of the Tabernacle and order of the Priesthood Therfore hath Christ also giuen particular direction for the gouernment of the Church 9 If the worde of God haue described sufficient Ministers and Ministeries for the building of the Church and keeping it in good order then is out assertion true But it hath set downe sufficient for doctrine exhortation ouerseeing
distributing and ordering of euery particular Church or generall Synode Therefore is our assertion true 10 That gouernment which the Apostles taught planted is expressed in the word of God But the Apostles taught and planted Pastors and Teachers for instruction Elders for ouersight and Deacons to distribute and that vniformely in euery Churche as appeareth by their writinges and practises Therfore a certaine forme of gouernment is expressed in the worde 11 Euery lawfull office and action in the building of the church is from heauen Mat. 21. 25. 26. Euery thing that is in the ordinarie building from heauen is reuealed in the word Therefore euerie lawfull office and action is reuealed in the worde 12 If God continued in regarde of the substaunce the Church administration as well as the thinges to bee administred then is the forme of Discipline described in the word But the former is true as appeareth by the particulars for Priestes Pastors for teaching Leuites or Doctors of the law Teachers for rulers of the Synagogue Elders for Leuiticall lookers to the treasurie Deacons for the Sanedrim the Eldership therefore the forme of gouernment is prescribed in the worde 13 Euery wise King that is carefull for his subiectes setteth downe lawes for the gouernment of the same and will haue them tyed to none other But Christ is such a King vnto his Church Therefore hath hee prescribed lawes vnto his Church which none therein can alter or disobey and consequently the certaine forme of gouernment of the Church is described in the worde 14 That which the Ministers must teach the people to obserue is set downe in the worde of God for they may teache nothing but that which is there Math. 28. 20. But they are to teach them to obserue and bee obedient vnto the particular forme of the Church gouernment Therefore the particular forme is set downe in the worde 15 Euery gouernment consisteth in the gouernours matter whereabout they are to be imployed and maner of doing it But in the worde are described all these particulars as it is shewed in the ninth reason Therefore the worde prescribeth a prescript forme of gouernment 16 The Christian religion shal find that out of this scripture rules of all doctrine haue sprong and that from hence doth spring and hither doth returne whatsoeuer the Ecclesiasticall discipline doth containe 17 Wee may not giue our selues the libertie to bring in any thing that other men bring of their will we haue the Apostles for authours which themselues brought nothing of their owne will but the Discipline which they receiued of Christ they deliuered faithfully to the people 18 It is adulterous it is sacrilegious whatsoeuer is ordained by humane furie that the diuine dispositon shoulde bee violated Therefore if Timothie was written vnto that he might be directed by the worde in disposing of the Churches if the lawes of God only being the housholder must bee followed in the Church his House if the worde of God teach vs in euerie good way whereof the gouernment of the Churche is one if God must be glorified in the ruling of his Churche which cannot be but by obedience to his worde if nothing be lawfull but that which is of faith warranted by the word if God haue shewed himselfe as carefull for his Church vnder the Gospell as vnder the law if Christ was as faithful to giue direction as Moses if in the worde bee described sufficient Ministers and Ministeries to build vp the Churche if that gouernment which the Apostles taught and practized be in the worde if euery lawfull office and action man ordinarie building be from heauen reuealed thence by the worde if God continued the same forme in respect of the substance in the time of the Gospell that was vnder the laws if euery wise carefull King doe set downe lawes for the direction of his subiects if the Apostles haue taught vs to obey that which Christe commaunded if both the gouernours matter of gouernment and maner of doing it bee set downe in the word if all that pertaineth to Ecclesiastical Discipline spring from the scriptures if wee may bring nothing into the Discipline of the Churche but that which the Apostles haue deliuered vs. Lastly if that bee adulterous and sacrilegious that is not according to the worde then it muste needes followe that God doth describe perfectly vnto vs out of his worde that forme of gouernment which is lawfull the officers that are to execute the same from the which it is not lawfull for any christian Churche to swarue And contrariwise that is a most vntrue assertion to say that the officers and offices are not particularly expressed but left to the discretion of the Churche The reasons that they alleage against this are in effect none and their obiections to these reasons not worthie to bee mentioned CHAP. 2. EVerie officer in the Churche must bee placed in some calling warranted by the word of God and some congregation must haue neede of such a one before hee be called to any function Wherein are these propositions 1 No calling is lawfull in the Churche but that which is directly warraunted out of the worde vnto him that executeth it The BB. and their adherents thinke otherwise as their practise in ordeyning Archbishops L. Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chauncellours Officials c. doth plainly declare 2 The name and office of an Archb. is contrarie to the word of God 3 No man may be ordained vnto any office in the church vntill there be such a place voide as he is fit for T. C. 1. booke page 61. They thinke otherwise as their making of so many Ministers at once prooueth and as is holden Whitgift page 222. 1 The first is prooued thus If Iohn was constrained to prooue his Ministerie out of the scriptures when the Priestes accused him then is no calling lawfull that hath not his warrant in the worde for if any bee priuiledged the extraordinarie Ministers whereof he was one are specially excepted But hee proueth his Ministerie by the worde as appeareth by his answere vnto them in the 23. verse Therefore no calling is lawful in the Church that hath not his warrant in the worde 2 The callinges vnder the Gospell must haue as good warrant as they had vnder the lawe because the light of the Gospell is at the least as cleare as that of the lawe But there was neuer any lawfull calling vnder the law excepting those that were by myraculous manner confirmed from heauen which had not his direct warrant out of the word Therefore no calling is lawfull in the Churche which is not directlie warranted in the worde 3 If Corath Dathan and Abiram thoughe they were Leuites were punished for that they had no warrant for that which they presumed to take in hand then is euerie lawfull calling both in generall warranted out of the word and particularly laid vpon the parties from
may giue them selues to lust the sooner 18 It was ordayned that none eyther B or Elder shoulde goe from citie to citie Therefore if a Minister haue the charge of a flocke committed vnto him to the ende to feede it if God place men to the ende to haue them there imployed if flockes in daunger haue neede of continuall watche if the Ministers duetie to his flocke requireth all that trauayle that he can performe if he can not be fruitfullie profitable vnto them without continuall residence if his residence be as strictlie required as theirs vnder the lawe if he cannot be a paterne vnto them without he be resident if they can not follow him nor know him if he be absent if he cannot bee alwayes readie to feede his flocke vnles he be there if he cannot take heede to them feede them and watche ouer them without his presence if Satan be the authour of nonresidencie if his absence abridge Gods loue to them and comfort from him selfe if absence be an hinderance to the louing familiaritie that shoulde bee betwixt him and them if they haue interest in him continuall neede of him if he may no more be absent then the priestes dwell from the Temple if the Councell of Nice did vpon good grounds forbid it if absence bee like to the practise of an harlot if it be not lawfull to goe frō place to place then is nonresidence vnlawful and the practize thereof contrarie to the worde of God The bellie for which nonresidencie is defended and practized hath no eares therefore it is that they heare not these euident soundes yet haue they verie little to say for it so grosse is the error thereof so much as hath any shew of reason is here set downe and answered 1 Obiection Two parishes may bee vnited why then may not one haue charge of them both before when they be two Answere Because one shephearde may keepe one flocke though it be great but he can not keepe two being very little and going in diuers pastures agayne one man may haue so many flockes as he can lead in and out euery Sabboth to the exercises of religion which is very playne that he cannot doe to more then one Congregation 2 Obiection Parishes were deuided by men as especially by Denis the Monke Pope of Rome Aunswere That is vntrue for the Apostles deuided the Church into Congregations and placed Elders ouer euerie one of them as the whole course of the Actes and Epistles of the Apostles prooueth and Whitgift confesseth page 250. Therefore these mistes notwithstanding nonresidencie must needes be vnlawfull and certainly those that haue any sparkle of conscience feare of God or loue to their flockes will neuer defende it much lesse enter into the practize of it CHAP. 4. IT belongeth to the Church to make choise of those officers which Christ would haue placed in the same T. C. 2. booke 1. part pag. 193. Ecclesiast Discip. fo 40. Whitgift confesseth it pag. 164. They denie this as their denying of all the arguments that be brought for it doeth prooue Whitgift pag. 154. 166. c. and their practize of allowinge patrons and also being such them selues doeth euidentlie declare If the former be proued true then the latter must returne to Antichrist which is thus declared 1 That which was the continuall and constant practise of the Church in the time of the Apostles that same is to be followed for euer which appeareth by this that the ordinances giuen from God by Paule 1. Tim. 6. 14. are enioyned to bee kept vntill Christ come to iudgement But it was the cōstant and the continuall practize of the Churches them to haue a stroke in the choyse of their owne ecclesiasticall officers Act. 1. and 26. where the Apostles presented two to the peoples liking whereof God was to be prayed vnto to make one an Apostle Act. 6. 3. where the Church is willed to choose their Deacons and Act. 14. 25. where they gaue their consent in the choosing of their Elders by the stretching foorth of their handes Therefore it belongeth to the church to thoose their owne Church-officers 2 If the people had an interest in their liking of their teaching Leuites which were of the tribe of Aaron then much more must the people now for there was greater likelihood that they were sent of God then any of the common sorte of men But the former is true as appereth by the maner of the setting of them aside vnto that office in the lawe Therefore must the latter needes be true also 3 That which partayneth vnto all ought to be approued of all the Congregation But euery Ministerie in the Church pertayneth to all the congregation Therefore authoritie to approoue of them pertayneth to all the congregation 4 That election which is most effectuall to bring the people to obedience is of all other the best and to abridge it is vnlawfull But election by common consent is most effectuall to bring the people to obedience when they shall see him teache or rule whome they them selues haue chosen Therefore election by the Church is the best and all other kindes of elections vnlawfull 5 That election whiche procureth greatest reuerence of the people to their Teachers and Rulers is meetest and all others vnlawfull But for the people to consent in the election of their Gouuernours procureth greatest reuerence in their heartes towardes them Therefore election by the people is the best and all others be vnlawfull Testimonies of the ancient writers 6 The Minister should be chosen the people beeing present in the eyes of all and should be by the common iudgement and testimonie approoued worthie and fitte c. Therfore this is the lawfull vocation by the word of God where those which are chosen bee appointed by the consent and approbation of the people For which also hee bringeth diuers authorities out of the Scriptures 7 That is truely and certainlie a diuine election of a Bishop which is made by the whole Church 8 Let the people haue authoritie to choose their Clarkes and Ministers 9 They runne speaking of the life of the Clarkes to Bishops suffragans certaine times of the yeare and bringinge some summe of money they are anoynted and ordayned being chosen of none and afterwarde the Bishop without anie lawfull election is chosen in huggermuger of the Canons or Prebendaries onely without the knowledge of the people 10 In the Oration of the death of his Father approueth the election by the people at large and confuteth them that would hinder it 11 When he appointed Eradius to succeede him sayeth it was the approued right custome that the whole church should eyther choose or consent vnto their Bishop 12 Antimius choosing a Bishop without the peoples cōsent filled all Armenia with sedition 13 Why did Peter cōmunicate the election with the Disciples least the matter should haue turned to a
braule and haue fallen to a contention Testimonies of the generall Councels 14 It is meete that you should haue power both to choose and to giue their names that are worthie to bee amonge the Cleargie and to doe all thinges absolutely according to the lawes and decrees of the Church and if it happen any to dye in the Church then those which were last taken are to bee promoted to the honour of him that is dead if they be worthie and if the people choose them 15 Let the people choose and the Bishop approoue and seale vp the election with them 16 In an Epistle to Damasus Ambrose c. sayeth Wee haue ordayned Nectarius Bishop of Constantinople c. the whole citie decreeing the same and Flâ—uianus was appointed Bishop of Antioch the whole citie appointing him 17 When he hath bin examined in all these and founde fullie instructed then let him bee ordayned Bishop by the common consent of the Clearkes and lay people 18 Let not him be counted a priest in the Church whom the Cleargie and people of that Citie where he is doe not choose 19 If any Bishop after the death of his predecessor be chosen of any but of the Bishops of the same prouince of the Cleargie and Citizens let another be chosen and if it bee otherwise let the ordination be voyde and of none effect Testimonies out of the Emperours lawes 20 Following the doctrine of the holy Apostles c. wee ordayne that as oft as it shall fall out that the Ministers place shalbe voyde in any citie that voyces be giuen of the inhabiters of that citie that hee of three whiche for their right faith holines of life other things are most approoued bee chosen to the Bishopricke which is moste meete of them 21 Being not ignorant of the holy canons that the holy Church should vse her honour the more freely we assent vnto the ecclesiasticall order that the Bishops be chosen by the election of the Cleargie and people 22 He decreed that he should be Bishop of Rome whom all the people of Rome should consent to choose 23 Lodouicke the seconde commaunded by his letters the Romanes to choose their owne Bishop not looking for other mens voyces which being straungers could not so well tell what was done in the common wealth where they were straungers and that it appartayned to the citizens 24 Let the people sayeth Otho the Emperour choose and I will approoue it The testimonies of the newe writers 25 The newe writers as Musculus in his common places in the title of Magistrates Bullinger vpon 1. Tim. 4. Caluin Institut booke 4. chap. 3. sect 15. Harmon confes Heluet chap. 18. and many others are on our side in this behalf 26 If there be none that write against it but the papistes and no argumentes vsed against it but those whiche be borrowed out of the popishe writers then doeth it belong to the Church to choose their owne church-Church-officers But the former is true as all that doe read them that write of this argument doe knowe and as is manifest by comparing Pighius Hosius c. with Whitgift Therefore the latter is true also Therefore seeing the interest of the Church in choosing of their Church-officers is grounded vpon the worde of God both in commaundement and continuall practize both in the olde and newe Testament seeing it is warranted by the light of common reason seeinge it is commended vnto vs by the manifolde practize of all auncient times so long as anie sinceritie remayned not only in the time of persecution but also of peace seeing it hath bin confirmed by so manie generall Councells and ratified by the decrees of so manie Emperours seeing it hath such a cloude of witnesses both of ancient and latter times of the best approued writers seeing none doe set them selues against it but the papistes or they that invade it onely with the same weapons that are fetched out of the popes armorie it must needes followe that it belongeth vnto the Church to choose their church-Church-officers and that the taking away of this freedom abridgeth the libertie that Christe hath endowed his Church withall and bringeth her into great boÌ„dage as Musculus truly affirmeth Their obiections against those things are these 1 Obiection They were then vnder the crosse fewe in number and therefore it was easilie knowen who were fit Answere The Gospell was dispersed thorowe out all Asia Africa and much of Europe and they could lesse keepe togither or meete and therfore that maketh rather for vs. 2 Obiection We haue many hypocrites to whom it were daungerous to committ such waightie actions Answere It is true that we haue many but it is a principle in hypocrisie to bee forwardest in such publike actions that they may get fame thereby 3 Obiection They had knowledge to doe it but our people be ignoranted Answere We should also finde our people to haue knowledge if they had teaching but howsoeuer they choose they can not haue worse then ordinarily are chosen by the Bishops and patrons 4 Obiection The Church was not then established Answere That is vntrue for though it wanted the helpe of Magistrates yet the Apostles could and did better establish without them then we can with the helpe of them but if this order might be altered it had bene fitter then for nowe the Magistracie may compounde the differences of the Elders which helpe then they lacked 5 Obiection Drunkards papistes c. will choose them that be like them selues and we knowe the best disposed bee alwayes the fewest Aunswere Such are not of the Church but without 1. Cor. 5. 12. and therefore are not to meddle in any holy action but if the people should choose an vnmeete man the eldershippe that gouerneth the action is to reforme them besides this if Gods order had hir place the schooles of the prophetes would sende them none for the ministers especially to make choyse of but meete men that whomsoeuer they tooke he should be founde sufficient 6 Obiection Paule commaundeth 1. Timo. 5. 22. to laye his handes on no man rashlie therefore one did it Answere He teacheth what to doe for his part though others would be rashe yet he should not ioyne with them in it as appeareth in the latter ende of that same verse for that is asscribed vnto him whiche also belonged vnto others because he was the director Caluine and Musculus expounde the place so 7 Obiection The Councell of Laodicea decreed that the people should not elect Answere That is as Caluin taketh it vpon Actes 16. they might not elect alone without the direction of some graue and good minister which should be the maner in the elections that according to Gods worde we desire CHAP. 5. NOne is to be admitted vnto any publike office in the Church vntill he be thorowly examined by the Eldership both concerning his state of Christianitie abilitie
can espye the enimie and giue warning aforehande howe to resiste him but he that is able to teache c. Therefore none may be admitted into the ministerie but he that is able to teache c. 8 He that leadeth him selfe and his people into hell may not be admitted into the ministerie Hee that is not able to teache and conuince the gainsayer leadeth him selfe and his people into hell Mat. 15. 14. Therefore he that is not able to teache c. may not be admitted into the ministerie 9 He that preacheth not but holdeth his peace murdereth 10 He that preacheth not is not sent and so he begetteth no fayth in man 11 In that S. Paule requireth that a Bishoppe should bee wise he barreth those that vnder the name of simplicitie excuse the follie of ministers 12 We condemne all vnmeete Ministers not endued with giftes necessarie for a shephearde that should feed his flocke Therefore if a Minister must teache vnto his people all that Christ hath commaunded if none may be made ministers but conditionally if they be qualified with giftes meete for the same if vnpreaching Ministers can not be made without the manifest breach of the commaundement of God if they may not be made ministers whom the Lorde refuseth to haue if euery minister must haue a treasurie well furnished and be able to bring foorth of it when need requireth if euery minister must haue skill to see the enemie and to giue warning aforehande howe to resiste him if vnlearned ministers draw their people to hell after them if he that preacheth not be a murtherer if he be not sent and so doe no good if he be barred from the ministerie lastlie if hee bee condemned as not to be in such a place then must it needes followe that none many be receyued into the ministerie but such as be able to teache the trueth and to conuince the gainsayer Many are the argumentes that be alleadged to this purpose and many moe may be alleadged for the whole course of the scriptures tende therevnto the testimonie of all sortes of writers is very plentifull for this purpose yea of the verie Canon lawe as the authour of the Abstract hath learnedlie prooued and yet doe not our Prelates rest in the same but haue sett them selues though in a sillie maner against it in this sorte that followeth 1 Obiection There must be reading in the Church therfore a reading ministerie Whitgift pag. 252. Answer By that reason we must haue an officer for euerie particular action for there must be breaking of bread in the Church and powring of water but it followeth not that therefore there must be one whose office must bee onely to breake bread or to powre water 2 Obiection It is better to haue readers then none for preachers can not be had for euery congregation Answere It is not better for if they had none they would seeke for him that they should haue whereas now they that haue a reader onely think them selues in case good inought but if there be such wante of preachers why are so many of the most diligent and able ones turned out 3 Obiection It is impossible to haue Preachers euerie-where and such as can be had must be taken Answere Sometimes you say all is well and is it now impossible that our state should obey the Lordes ordinaunces this is the greatest disgrace to it that can be and yet it followeth not for no necessitie may warrant vs to violate the decrees of the highest 4 Obiection It were vncharitablenes to turne them out that bee bare readers for so they their wiues and children might begge Answere This is to sell mens souls for morsels of bread shall we rather feare the begging of three or foure then the damnation of 1000. but they may bee otherwayes prouided for they neede not begge many of them may returne to their occupations againe So that all these obiections notwithstanding the conclusion remaineth sure which is grounded vppon so many certaine and vnmoueable foundations The Churche ought not to be gouerned by Commissaries and Officialls and Chauncellors 1 They which are no Elders of the Church haue nothing to doe in the gouernement of the same 1. Tim. 5. 17. These Chauncellours Commissaries and officialls are no Elders in the Church whether we expounde Elder for a minister and him also that is assistant vnto the minister in ouerseeing the Church or for a minister onely as they do for none of them be ministers and if they be they doe not rule in this respect that they are ministers Therefore the Church ought not to be gouerned by them 2 They that must gouerne the Church of God must haue a warraunt for their so doing from Iesus Christ the head of the Church But Chauncellors c. haue no warraunt so to doe from Iesus Christ the head of the Church Therefore the Church ought not to be gouerned by them 3 Those whose names office and practize be deriued frō Antichrist may haue nothing to doe in the gouuernement of the Church for who will suffer his wife to be gouuerned by the master of a brothelhouse But the names offices and practize of Chauncellours officialles and commissaries be such which is plaine by this that they haue their grounde in that filthie dunghill the Cannon lawe Therefore they may haue nothing to doe in the gouernement of the Church 4 They that being inferiours doe proudly tyrannize ouer their superiours ought not to rule the Church of God for it is meete it should be ruled by modest humble and orderlie men But such are they for being inferiours to the ministers of the worde as our aduersaries doe confesse and is plaine also by the cannon lawe they crowe ouer them as if they were their slaues and if they doe not so they can doe nothinge Therefore they ought not to rule the Church of God 5 They that liue by the faultes of men are not fitt to rule the Church of God for they will rather increase offences that their gayne may increase then orderlie lessen them as experience also prooueth But such are all Chauncellours commissaries and officialls Therefore they ought not to rule the Church of God Therefore if Chauncellours commissaries and officialls be no Elders of the Church if they haue no warraunt from Iesus Christe the head of the Church if their names offices and practize be deriued from Antichrist if their office compell them being inferiours to tyrannize ouer their superiours if they liue onely by the faultes and offences of men then it must needes followe that the Church of God ought not to be gouerned by them CHAP. 7. EVerie officer of the Church must bee ordayned by the laying on of the handes of the Eldershippe T. C. 2. booke 1. part pag. 274. Discip. Eccle. fol. 53. They say it ought to be done by the Bishop alone Whitg pag. 196. their daily practize doeth likewise shewe it The former is prooued
gouuernement of the Church by an Eldership is perpetuall 4 That whose seuerall partes is perpetuall and whiche hath perpetuall giftes giuen for the furnishing thereof for euer that same must needes be perpetuall But the seuerall partes of the Eldership as Pastour Doctor and Elders be perpetuall as is prooued in the 10. and 12. chap. Therefore the Eldership is perpetuall 5 Whatsoeuer is grounded vpon the generall commandementes and rules of the Scriptures that same is perpetuall But the gouerning of the church by the Eldershippe is such as hath partlie bin prooued in election and ordination and execution of the seuerall Church-offices whiche is the greatest part of gouernement and shall further appeare in the censures of the church hereafter Therefore the gouernment of the Church by the Eldership is perpetuall 6 What soeuer manner of gouernement hath sufficient power and that from God to begin continue strengthen both the gouernours of the church in their callings and the people in the course of obedience vnto Christ that same gouernement is to be perpetuall But such is the gouernement by the Eldership as appeareth by this that the Apostles vsed no other Therefore the Eldershippe is to be perpetuall 7 That gouernement which the 12. Apostles and Paule before they consulted togither did vniformly agree in that same must needes bee of God and consequently perpetuall vnlesse the repealing of it doe appeare but such is the gouuernement by the Eldership for all the aduersaries therevnto confesse that it was in the Apostles time Therefore it is perpetuall 8 Whatsoeuer hath the same groundes that the preaching of the Worde and ministration of the Sacramentes haue the same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement of the Eldership for it is grounded vppon the commaundementes of Christ and practize of the Apostles Therefore it is perpetuall 9 That which hath the like groundes to bee perpetuall that the Apostles Prophetes and Euangelistes had to bee for a time the same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement of the Church by an Eldership which appeareth by this that they are therefore ceased because their giftes of immediate calling c. be gone and the giftes of these iointly and seuerally doe remaine Therefore it is perpetuall 10 Whatsoeuer is the perpetuall and ordinarie remedie to cure diseases of the Church and strengthen the health of the same that same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement by the Eldership as appeareth by the necessitie and profite of the seuerall offices thereof and of this that we are still to obserue in causes of extremities Tell the Church Matth. 18. 17. Therefore it is perpetuall 11 That gouernement which was in the Church appointed of God vnder the Lawe and continued in respect of the substance by Christ and his Apostles and bettered in respect of the accedents by them that same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement by the Eldershippe as appeareth in the 12. reason of the 1. chap. Therefore it is perpetuall 12 If there be any reason why this gouernement should be alterable being once set in the church by Christ it is eyther in respect of the extraordinarie offices ceased or the addition of the Magistrate But not of the former because the Church hath neuer had any neede of extraordinary giftes but God hath giuen them so will he euer nor of the latter for that the Magistrates office is to defende the buylding of the church by that order which Christ hath set downe and not to alter any thing therein Therefore it is perpetuall 13 Eyther this gouernement is the best and perpetuall or els there is none and so Christ should bee thought to haue left his Church without a gouernement which is disproued in the 7. and 8. reasons in the firste chap. for this was once established by Christ and so was no other But some gouernment must needes be the best and perpetuall Therefore this is perpetuall 14 No man may iustlie forbid speaking of the Church gouuernement to returne to the olde constitution of the Church of God and to receyue it before the custome of men 15 Experience teacheth this order speaking of the church gouernement was not for one age but necessarie to all ages 16 Though the cōmon wealth change hir gouernment yet the Church must keepe hirs still 17 Lamenteth that some were founde among them that are esteemed forwardest which would not haue the same discipline vsed now a dayes that was in the Apostles times obiecting the difference of times and men 18 The Apostles haue written these lawes speakinge of Discipline not for a day or for the first age but to endure for all times to come and therefore haue ratified them with a most earnest obtestation 1. Tim. 6. 14. that these commandements should be kept vntill the day of the Lord. Therefore if the causes of once ordayning an Eldership be perpetuall if Christ be the authour of it and left it in the Church by the Apostles if it be Gods commaundement not yet repealed if the partes of it and giftes for it be perpetuall if it be grounded vpon the generall commaundements and rules of the scriptures if it haue sufficient power from God to begin continue and confirme a Church if it was agreed vpon by the 12. Apostles and Paule before they met togither if it haue the same groundes with the preaching of the word if it haue as good grounds to bee perpetuall as the Apostles c. to be for a time if it be the perpetuall remedie against all the diseases of the Church if it was vnder the lawe and inriched by Christ and his Apostles vnder the Gospell if it bee neyther alterable in respect of the extraordinarie offices ceased nor the Magistrate added to the Church if it be the onlie gouernement that challengeth authoritie from God if no man may iustlie forbid it if it be necessarie for all times if the common wealth may chaunge hir gouernement but not the Church if the difference of times and men bee nothing against it lastlie if the rules that the Apostles gaue for it be confirmed with a charge to be kept vntill the comming of Christ then must it needes followe that the gouernement of the Church by an Eldership ought to be perpetuall They obiecte that many inconueniences would followe vppon this gouernement which are seuerallie to bee answered 1 Obiection By this euery parishe shall followe their Seniors and then there wilbe so many Elderships so many diuers fashions seeing one may not medle with another Answere The gouernement desired is vniforme for euerie Church and admitteth no change no not in outwarde ceremonies without a Synode of the choyce men of seuerall Elderships 2 Obiection If they being all meane men chuse an Earle he may not refuse but be at their becke and commaundement Answere No man that is chosen is compelled to an office against his will but he that despiseth to consult with others in Gods matters because they
bee poore reprocheth God that made them Prou. 17. 5. 3 Obiection It ouerburdeneth the parrishe to prouide for the nourishment of so many church-church-officers Answere It is not necessarie that they should prouide for any moe of them sauinge those that are exercised in the ministerie of the worde vnlesse any of the rest may neede the liberalitie of the Church 4 Obiection It bringeth in a newe popedome and tyrannie into the Church Answere It is blasphemie to tearme the gouernement of Christ so because we refuse the tyranny of the pope shall we therefore doe what we list and not yeelde obedience to the scepter of Christ. 5 Obiection It is a kinde of Donatisme to chalenge such authoritie ouer Princes Answere And it is flatterie to suffer princes to doe what they liste this is the obiection of Gualter who is a professed enemie to discipline 6 Obiection It taketh away princes authoritie in causes Ecclesiasticall Answere No more then it did from Dauid in his time not so much as the Bb. doe nowe for the prince requireth but this to see the Church well ordered which the Eldership alloweth and craueth 7 Obiection It transformeth the state of the common wealth into a meere popularitie and will alter the gouernement thereof Answere It neyther transformeth nor altereth any thing in it for let it be shewed what damage would come by this discipline to any Magistracie from the Princes throne to the office of the headborow 8 Obiection It will breede contention and partialitie in iudgement Answere Where can be greater contention then the Bb. maintaine for their kingdome or greater partialitie then in them to their kins folkes seruauntes Sycophants c. 9 Obiection It will bee contemned and so good order neglected Answere None euer deserued more contempt then the Bb. and their officers doe for all their pompe but God whose ordinance it is will procure sufficient awe vnto it marke howe these obiections stande togither in the 4. it was tyrannie and here it is too contemptible these be contrary 10 Obiection All alterations be daungerous Answere Neuer where we change from the obedience of Antichrist to the seruice 〈◊〉 the liuinge God was it euer daungerous to amende thiâ—â—amisâ—e by that course whiche is described of God if it were let the particular of it appeare this might well haue bin Steuen Gardiners reason for poperie in the time of King Henrie the eight The Church must be gouerned onely by the rules of gods worde this is in effect the proposition of the first chap. whervnto all those reasons there alleadged may be referred there is aduouched generally the certayne groundes of the whole Discipline against the imagined libertie left to the Church here is affirmed the particular direction of the Church gouuernement by the authoritie of the Eldershipp to proceede according to the rules of Gods reuealed will and not by that cursed and monstrous cannon lawe which is made manifest vnto vs by these reasons 1 All gouernours are to execute their authoritie by the same warrant from which they haue it But the gouernours of the Church of God haue their warrant to bee gouernours onelie from the worde 1. Cor. 12. 28. Therefore they must gouerne the church onely by the worde 2 The Church is to be gouerned by that which the Ministers may teache vnto the same for they are taught to the ende that they may obey and so be gouerned by the same But the Ministers may teache nothing but the worde of God 1. Cor. 11. 23. Therefore the church is to be gouerned onely by the worde of God 3 That which maketh the Church obedient vnto Christ must be the direction whereby it is to be gouerned Only the worde of God maketh the church obedient vnto Christe Therefore it is to be gouerned by the rules of Gods word 4 Euery kingdome or housholde must be gouerned onlie by the lawes of the King or orders of the housholder The Church is the kingdome and house of God and his worde is the onely lawe that he hath giuen for the same Therefore it must be gouerned onely by the worde of God 5 That which was ordayned to destroy the church of god can not be a good rule to gouerne the same by But such is the canon lawe for it was ordayned to strengthen the kingdome of Antichrist Abstract Therefore it can not bee a good rule to direct the church by and consequentlie it must be gouerned by the worde for no other rule is offered vnto vs but the one of these twaine 6 That whiche was inuented by the Dragon that persecuteth the woman and her childe that same cannot be good for the Church which is that woman But such is the cannon lawe for it was inuented by Antichrist whiche is that Dragon Therefore it can not be good for the rulinge of the church and consequentlie c. 7 That which strengtheneth the power of darkenes and ignorance can not be good to guide them that must walke in light and knowledge But the cannon lawe strengtheneth the power of darknes and ignorance for it increaseth poperie as appeareth by this that there is scarce an officer towards it in these dayes of knowledge but he is a papist Therefore it cannot be good to guide the church of God 8 That which destroyeth the church of God can not bee good to rule the same But the cannon lawe destroyeth it for it crosseth euery faithfull Minister in the discharge of his duetie and euery good christian walking in the wayes of godlines and nippeth in the head euery good action as experience teacheth vs Therefore it cannot be a good rule to gouuerne the church by 9 That which hath bredd moe trayterous papistes in England then the Seminaries at Rome and Rhemes that same can not be good to gouerne the church of God But such is the cannon lawe for it hath kept out Discipline nourished ignorance and fostered superstition and poperie in all estates of people that neuer came at those Seminaries Therefore it can not bee a good rule to gouuerne the Church of God by 10 That which nourished the hope of Antichrist to return hither againe can not bee good to direct in the gouernment of the church But such is the cannon lawe for it keepeth the cages for those vncleane birdes as Archb. and L. Bb. seas Arches Cathedrall churches c. Therefore it can not bee a good rule for the direction of the church 11 That which all the Churches haue cast off as vnfit for the gouernement of the Church can not bee good for the same But all the churches that haue forsaken the pope yea they that haue not receyued the discipline of Christ wholie haue cast off the cannon lawe Therefore it can not bee good for the same 12 Yea we our selues mislike it as appeareth by a statute made vnder Ed. 6. Therefore if gouernours are to rule by the same authoritie whereby they are gouernours if the Church must be gouerned by
that which the Ministers may teache if the worde of God onely make the Church obedient vnto Christ if euerie kingdome must be ruled by the lawes of their King and if the cannon lawe be ordayned to destroye the Church if it was inuented to persecute the church if it strengthen the power of darkenesse and ignorance if it kill the church of God if it breede moe traiterous papistes then the Seminaries at Rome and Rhemes if it nourishe the hope of Antichrists returne lastlie if all the churches that haue forsaken the pope haue cast it of also yea if we our selues doe mislike it then must it needes followe that the Church ought to bee gouerned onely by that golden rule of Gods worde not by that leaden lumpe of the cannon lawe CHAP. 15. THe office of the Church gouernement is meere Ecclesiasticall and therefore the gouernours of the church may not meddle but onely in Church-matters as for example vocation and abdication deciding of controuersies in doctrine and manners so farre as appertayneth to conscience and the church censures T. C. booke 1. pag. 206. Discipl Eccle 126. but they thinke that church-gouernours may also meddle in ciuill causes Whitgift pa. 749. and their practize that take vpon them to be Councellors of state to iudge ciuillie as punish with imprisonment c. But this is disprooued and so the former proued by these reasons 1 That which our Sauiour Christ refused because it belonged not vnto him ruling and teaching the church that same is not lawfull for any Ecclesiasticall person to doe But Christ refused to deuide the inheritance Luke 12. 14. onely because he came to buylde a spirituall kingdome for otherwise he being God had authoritie ouer all thinges Therfore it is not lawfull for Ecclesiasticall persons to bee iudges of ciuill causes 2 That which was forbidden the Apostles is vnlawful for euery Ecclesiasticall officer for they were the chiefe vnder Christ and had after a sort all offices in themselues vntill they could plant them in others But such dominiō was forbidden them as the Kinges of the nations and other ciuill Magistrates haue Luke 22. 28. which is to rule ciuilly Therfore they may not exercise any ciuill authoritie 3 If necessarie dueties are to be lefte rather then our dueties to the Church should not be thorowly discharged then may not a church-officer deale in ciuill iurisdiction which is lesse necessarie vnto him But the former is true as appeareth by the wordes of Christ to him that would haue buried his father Luke 9. 59. 60. Therefore they may not exercise anie ciuill authoritie 4 If he that hath an office must atrende vpon it then may he not meddle in another for he can not attende them both at once But the former is true Rom. 12. 7. Therefore maye no church-Church-officer medle with temporall iurisdiction 5 As the Souldiour is in his warfare so are church-Church-officers in the ruling of Gods church But the Souldiour entangleth not him selfe in the things of this life because they are of another nature to his warfare which place Cyprian alleadgeth against a minister that became an executour to his friendes will Therefore church-church-officers may not meddle with ciuill offices because they are of another nature then his calling 6 Those things that in them selues are of contrarie quallitie can not concurre in one subiect But the gouernments of the Church and common wealth bee such not onelie in this that they are the next speciall members of one generall but also in that the one is spirituall and the other temporall the one respecteth the soule and the other the bodie Therefore they can not be in one man togither and consequentlie c. 7 If the gouernement of the Church both in euery particular mans office and in the generall Eldership bee a matter of great waight and the abilitie of man very small in euery good action then may not a church-officer meddle in another calling whereby hee is made lesse able to discharge his duetie But the former is true as all men may see that looke into the worde of God what is required of such men and knowe by the same worde the manifolde infirmities vntowardnes of man Therefore the latter must needes bee true also 8 If the Apostles who were the most able of all others founde them selues vnfitt for two offices whiche were both Ecclesiasticall then is the best church-gouernour vnfitt for two which be of more difference one from another as bee the gouernement of the church and common wealth But the former is true as appeareth Actes 6. 2. Therefore the latter must needes be true also 9 That which we iustly reprooue in the papistes muste needes if we doe like be founde more vnlawfull and intollerable in ourselues But we iustly reprooue the papistes for hauing in their handes both the swordes that is the Ecclesiasticall and ciuill iurisdiction Therefore it is more intollerable being founde in any of vs. 10 If it be lawfull for an Ecclesiasticall person to exercise the office of the ciuill Magistrate then on the contrary it is lawfull for the ciuill Magistrate to exercise the offices of Ecciesiasticall persons for there is as good reason for the one as the other But the latter is vnlawfull for who would like of any L. Mayor to step into the pulpit and preach c. Therfore the first is vnlawfull also 11 They may not intangle them selues with worldly offices but attende vpon their Ecclesiasticall affaires 12 None of the Clarkes or Cleargie shall receyue any charge of those which are vnder age the cause of that decree is there saide to be for that there were certaine Ministers that were stewardes to noble men and in the 7. cannon that none of them should receyue any secular honors 13 The Bishops shall onely attende vnto prayer reading and preaching 14 He bringeth diuers reasons to prooue that Bishops may neither vsurpe nor take beeing offered vnto them any ciuill office 15 He sheweth howe the offices are to bee distinguished and in what sorte it is sayd that the fathers dealt in the things of this life and howe the corporall punishmentes by the Apostles were particular and extraordinarie 16 When both the offices meete in one man the one hindereth the other so that he that exerciseth the one cannot minister the other 17 There is no man so wise and holy which is able to exercise both the ciuill and Ecclesiasticall power and therefore he that will exercise the one must leaue the other Therefore if Christe refused to iudge in temporall causes because it belonged not to his office if ciuill dominion was forbidden the Apostles if necessarie dueties are rather to bee lefte vndone then our diligence in the matters of the church should be lessened if he that hath an office must attende vppon it if we may not bee intangled with any hinderance if the ciuill and Ecclesiasticall functions bee of contrarie natures if euery office in
admonishe euery one by whome offence appeareth vnto them to growe in the church There is no question betweene vs about admonition it self but this they denie that the execuion of of any discipline and therefore of this point belongeth vnto the Eldership which point is proued in the seuerall chapters going before so that I neede not saye any thing of this sauing with a reason or twaine to shewe the necessitie and benefite of it in the Church of God 1 That whiche priuate men offended are commaunded to seeke vnto for the redresse of the offendour is a necessarie and an ordinarie way for the amendement of them that doe offende in the Church of God But such is the admonition of those that are in authoritie and cary the name of the church Matth. 18. 15. see chap. 14. and the firste proposition of the same Therefore admonition in such cases by the Eldership is a necessarie and ordinary way for their amendement that doe offende 2 That which is more auaylable to bring the offendor to repentance then priuate admonition eyther by one or moe the same is very profitable and necessarie in the Churche of God But such is the publike admonition by the gouernours of the Church as appeareth by this that Christ maketh it a remedie when the other two will not preuayle Matth. 18. 15 Therefore it is verie profitable and necessarie in the Churche of God 3 That which maketh men more afraide to offende then any admonition that priuate men can giue is profitable and necessarie in the Church of God But such is the Eldershipp before whom men knowe they shalbe brought if they doe not amende Therefore it is very profitable and necessarie in the Church of God 4 That which hath a greater promise to doe good then priuate admonition is very necessarie in the Church of God But such is the admonition that is giuen by the Eldershipp because it preuayleth when the former doeth not Therefore it is profitable in the church of God 5 That without which all dueties of charitie can not bee exercised towardes sinners is needfull to be in the Church of God But without admonition by the Eldership all duties of charitie cannot be exercised towardes sinners Therefore it is needfull to be in the church of God 6 That which would bridle the outragious sinns of some and keepe in the derision and mockerie that priuate admonitions doe receyue is needfull to be in the Church of God But this would admonition by the Eldership doe for if men knewe that they should aunswere vnto the Church for their ill demeanour to them that rebuke them for sinning they would refraine at least for feare from such kinde of outrage Therefore it is needefull to be in the church of God Therefore seeing publike admonition before the Eldership is to be sought by those that are offended and cannot be satisfied seeing it is more auaylable then priuate admonition seeing it maketh men more afraide to offende seeing it hath a greater promise seeing without it all dueties of charitie can not be exercised towardes the sinner lastlie seeing it would bridle the outragious sinnes of many Therefore it must needes followe that it is very profitable and necessarie to be in the church of God CHAP. 18. THose that be not reclaimed from their faultes by admonition are by the Eldershippe to bee suspended from the Lordes supper or being officers of the Church from the execution of their office vntill they doe eyther giue good testimonie of their amendement or iust cause to be further proceeded against Neither is there any controuersie betweene them and vs about this poynt sauing that as in the former they will denie it to appertaine to the Eldership whiche is prooued before I will therefore for their vnderstandinge that desire direction in the trueth firste shewe that it is a course that hath warrant in the scriptures secondlie that it is of very profitable vse in the Church of God the first is thus prooued 1 Whatsoeuer is enioyned as a duetie to be done by euerie Christian if he leaue it vndone he is to be compelled by the gouernours of the Church to doe it Luke 14. 17. 23. But if a mans brother haue anie thing against him and he make no conscience to leaue his gifte there and be firste reconciled Mat. 5. 24. he is to be compelled to doe it Therefore separation from the Lordes Supper is warraunted by the worde 2 If that commaundement of Christ Matth. 7. 6. giue not that which is holy vnto dogges can neyther be properly vnderstood of them that were neuer of the Church nor them that be excommunicated then is it a warraunt for such separation of the vnworthy and consequentlie that separation is warraunted in the worde But the former is true as appeareth by this that the meanest of the Iewes did knowe that holy things belonged to neyther of them and so the commaundement had bin needles Therefore suspention is warranted by the worde 3 If there be sinners that are not to be excommunicated and yet it were offensiue to giue them the Lords Supper then is this course warranted by the worde for els should Christe haue left his Church destitute of direction in common and vsuall difficulties which is prooued in the first chap. to bee otherwise But such sinners there are as the notorious sinner repenting men mainly suspected of notorious transgressions c. Therefore suspention hath his warrant in the word 4 The course that God prescribed in the shadow for corporall purifyings must in the body in respect of the substance be obserued in the spirituall cleansing of euery member of the Church But many were separated from the publike sacrifices for a season by reason of their corporall vncleanes who yet were not worthie to bee excommunicated Therefore must also some be kept from the Lords supper for a season who yet appeare not so haynouslie to haue sinned as to deserue excommunication 5 The Church can not without great offence suffer one that hath fallen into some open sinne or that is vehemently suspected to haue hayuouslie offended cōtinue in the administration of any publike function But the Church cannot iustlie displace such a man at the first making shewe of repentance or standing vpon his purgation Therefore he must be separated for a time 6 That which was commaunded vnder the lawe to bee done to the priest that was vncleane in body or suspected to be a leaper that same must much more vnder the Gospell be done vnto the Minister or other Church officer that hath sinned or is suspected to haue committed a great sinne But such a priest was to be separated from offering of sacrifices for a certaine time Therefore much more must the like be done to a church-Church-officer in the like case Therefore if the Church be to compell a priuate man to doe his duetie if giue not holy things to dogges bee vnderstoode of them within the church if there bee
sinners that can not without offence be admitted to the Lordes supper yet deserue not excommunication if for corporall vncleannes vnder the lawe they were to abstaine a certaine time and if the church can not without great offence suffer him that hath committed an open sinne though he repent or that is vehemently suspected of a notorious sinn cōtinue in the execution of his office vntill the Congregation bee satisfied Lastlie if the priest that was vncleane or suspected of leprosie might not offer sacrifices then is it plaine that both the separation of some men from the Lordes supper and other from the execution of their publike function for a time is a thing warranted by the worde of God The latter part which is that this kinde of suspention hath a profitable vse in the Church of God is thus proued 1 That which keepeth the godly in more carefull obedience and keepeth in the hypocrites that they breake not out is very profitable for the Church of God But such is the vse of the separation from the Lordes Supper and from executing publike function in the Church Therefore it is profitable in the church of God 2 That whiche remooueth euen the appearance of offence from the Church of God is very profitable for the same But such is the separation Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 3 That which declareth vnto the worlde that the Church of God is carefull to practise that which it professeth is verie profitable But such is this separation for it sheweth that they cannot away with vngodly life no nor among them selues Therefore it is profitable for the church of God 4 That which giueth occasion to the Church to be exercised in the action of religion with more sounde comfort is profitable for the same But such is this separation for euery one shall see thereby the vnworthy for whose sakes God might be angrie with them all Iosh. 7. 11. weeded from among them Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 5 That which is a speciall meanes to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde vnto his Church is profitable for the same such is this separation for it is a notable meanes to keepe men in obedience to that whiche they professe Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God Therefore if separation of the knowne or suspected sinner from the Lordes supper and such a church-Church-officer from the execution of his publike function doe keepe men in obedience that be godly and restrayneth hypocrites from outrage if it remooue the very appearance of euill if it lett the world see that the Church laboureth to practize that which it doeth professe if it make euery member of the Church to be exercised in the actions of religion with greater comfort Lastlie if it be a speciall meane to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde then must it needes followe that it is of verie profitable vse vnto the Church of God CHAP. 19. WHen neyther admonition nor suspention will serue to reclay me the offendor but that it doth appeare that he abydeth in impenitencie and is incorrigible the Eldership after mature deliberation and commending of the partie vnto the prayers of the Church he yet remaining obstinate is to proceede to excommunication which containeth these propositions in question betwixt vs and the Bishops 1 It may not be done but vpon great and waightie occasion 2 It may not bee done by any one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto The former is holden by vs T. C. 1. booke pag. 183. disc Eccle. 130. and denied by them in their practise that sende it out many times for not paying of sixe pence But our assertion is thus prooued and their godles practise disproued 1 That which Christ hath ordayned for the last remedie against sinne and onely to bee vsed when neyther admonition reprehension nor separation from the externall communion of the Saintes for a time will serue that same is not to be vsed but vpon great extremitie But such is excommunication as appeareth Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not bee vsed but vpon most waightie occasion that is in the case onlie of extremitie when no other meanes will serue the turne 2 That whiche cutteth a man off from the Church of God and giueth him ouer vnto Satan as one in a desperate case that same may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie But such is excommunication being vsed according as God hath left it vnto his Church 1. Cor. 5. 5. Therefore it may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie 3 That which a man will doe in the cutting off of his hande or his foote that same must the Church doe in excommunication for it is the cutting off of a member But a man will trie all other wayes and will neuer cutt of his hande or his foote vntill he see it incurable and readie to infect the other partes of his bodie Therefore excommunication may not be vsed but in case of greatest extremitie 4 That which is contrarie to naturall affection and worketh that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke of that same may not bee done but in greatest extremitie But such is the excommunication for it depriueth the party excommunicated of our loue and throweth him into the most wretched case that can befall vnto man in this life Therefore it may not be done but in case of greatest extremitie Therefore if excommunication be ordained of Christ as a remedie onely when all other helpes will not serue if it cutt the partie from Gods Church and giue him ouer vnto Satan if it must be proceeded vnto as a man doeth to the cutting off of his hande or foote lastlie if it be a worke contrarie vnto the naturall affection of man and effecteth that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke vppon then must it needes followe that it is to be proceeded vnto onely in the cases of greatest extremitie and after that all other meanes haue bin vsed and doe appeare not to preuayle The latter poynt whiche is that excommunication may not be done by one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto is holden by vs T. C booke 1. pag. 183. Discipl Ecclest 130. c. and denied by them Whitgift pag. 662. and their continuall practize But our assertion is thus prooued and their opinion practize found to be erroneous and vngodlie 1 That whiche Christe commaunded to bee done by the Church may not be done by one man vnles you take my L. Grace for the Church as Whitgift doeth page 662. whiche needeth no confutation But Christe commaunded that excommunication should be done by the Church Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not be done by one man 2 That whiche Paule enioyned the Church when they were met togither to doe may not be done by one man But he commaunded them to excommunicate the incestuous person when they were met
christian Magistrate 3 If the rule of Christe can not bee perpetnally obserued tell the Church vnles there be Elders then must there be such vnder a christian Magistrate But the former is true for by the Church is there meant the Senate of Ministers Elders as shalbe prooued in the chapter of Excommunication Therefore there must be Elders vnder a christian Magistrate 4 If the whole gouernement of the Church described in the Epistles to Timothie and Titus be to be obserued vntill the ende then must there bee Elders vnder christian Magistrates for they are contayned in those Epistles But the former is true 1. Tim. 6. 14. Therefore there must be Elders vnder a christian Magistrate 5 Where sinners are more outragious and the best most subiect to waxe colde there is greatest neede of all the helpes that God hath ordayned to punishe sinne and to cherish wel dooing But so it is vnder a christian Magistrate especially in the peace of the Church as Whitgift confesseth page 643. Therefore there is at the least as great neede of Elders seeing they are helpers appointed of God vnder a Christian Magistrate as at any other time Therefore if Ministers be lesse able nowe then in the Apostles time if christian Magistrates must mainteyne the order prescribed by Christ if els the rule of Christ Tel the church can not be still obserued if the whole gouernement described by S. Paule must be kept for euer lastlie if there bee at the least as great neede of all the helpers that can be as euer there was then must it needes followe that Elders are as necessarie in the Church vnder a christian Magistrate as in the time of persecution CHAP. 13. THere ought to be in euery congregation certaine Deacons endued with those qualities whiche the worde of God describeth whose office is onely in receyuing the liberalitie of the Saintes and distributing it vnto the needie T. C. 1. booke pag. 190. Disci Eccle. fol. 119. This assertion hath two braunches which both are gainsaide by our aduersaries the first whereof is this The office of the Deacon consisteth onely in receiuing and distributing vnto the poore the liberalitie of the Saintes whiche they denie Whitgift pag. 582. The booke of ordering c. that maketh it a degree of the ministerie but the proposition being prooued true maketh their opinion and practize appeare false which is thus 1 That wherein Steuen and the rest were imployed is the office of a Deacon for the first institution of them by the Apostles is in that example But they were onely to attende vpon the prouision for the poore Act. 6. 4. Therefore the office of the Deacon is onely to attende vpon the distributinge vnto the poore from the liberalitie of the Saintes 2 That whiche the Apostle maketh an ordinarie and distinct office from others in the Church must be attended vpon by them that are in the same office and not be mingled with any other But the Apostle Rom. 12. 8. maketh distributing in simplicitie such as office as it is expounded by M. Caluin Beza Bucer Martyr c. Therefore the Deacons office must be attended vpon and consequentlie it consisteth onelie in distributing c. 3 That which the Apostles founde them selues insufficient for that can no man nowe discharge in any tollerable measure for they were more adorned with giftes then anie be nowe But they founde them selues insufficient for the ministerie of the worde and distributing vnto the poore also Act. 6. 2. Therefore no man can in any tollerable measure discharge the office of a Minister and Deacon also and consequentlie the Deacon is to attende vpon distributing only 4 If the ministeries of the worde be perfect without the Deacon then may he not meddle in the same for howe may one lawfullie labour in that wherein there is no neede of him But such is the ministerie of the worde where the seuerall ministers thereof are named Ephes. 4. 11. wherein the Deacon is not contayned as Whitgift confesseth pag. 308. 309. Therefore the Deacon may not meddle with the ministerie of the worde and consequentlie must be imployed onlie in distributing c. 5 If there be no qualitie required in the perfect description of the Deacon which is proper to the ministerie of the worde then is not he to meddle with the same But the former is true as appeareth 1. Tim. 3. 8. Therefore the latter is true also and consequentlie he must attende onely vppon distributing c. 6 If it belong to the Deacons office to meddle with the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes then is it greater then that of the Pastor for that the doing of both requireth greater giftes then the one But it is not a greater but inferiour office to the pastor as appeareth by all those places wherin they are described that the Deacon is described after the Bishop Therefore his office is not to meddle with both and consequentlie he must attende vpon distributing c. 7 Deacons are ministers of tables and not of holy things 8 In the ministers sicknes the Deacons shall reade the Homilies of the Fathers 9 The Deacons haue neede of great wisedome although the preaching of the worde be not committed vnto them further it is absurde that they should doe both the offices of preaching and caring for the poore consideringe that they be not able to doe both thorowly 10 Although the goodes of the Church increasing there were besides the Deacons subdeacons and archdeacons yet the Deacons remayned still in their charge for the poore and were not as yet mingled with the Bishops or priestes with the order of them which taught 11 The office of Deaconship was religiouslie kept in the Church vntill it was driuen out by Antichrist 12 This office must of necessitie be restored as it is described Act. 6. if England for he speaketh it in the behalfe of our Church will receyue the Discipline of Christ. 13 Speaking of these Deacons lamenteth that this order is so fallen out of the Church that the name doth scarce remayne 14 Describing the Deacons of the Apostles time sayeth that we after their example ought to haue the like 15 The office of distributing the goodes of the church is an ordinarie function in a church lawfully constituted the which sect 30. he calleth the Deaconship Therefore if Steuen and the rest were imployed onely in distributing the goodes of the church if the Apostle maketh the Deacons office an ordinarie and distinct office from all others in the church if the Apostles were not sufficient for the ministerie of the worde and distributing if the ministeries of the worde be perfect without the Deacon if in the description of the Deacon no quallitie be required that is proper to a minister of the worde if to deale in both would make the Deacon a greater officer then the Pastor if the Councels auncient writers and the sounde writers of latter times
doe declare that the Deacons were to bee wholy imployed in the distributing of the goodes of the Church then must it needes followe that his office is not to meddle with any parte of the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes but to attende onelie vpon the distributing of the liberalitie of the Church vnto them that stande in neede thereof Their obiections herevnto be these two that followe 1 Obiection Philip one of the seuen Deacons did preach Act. 8. 8. Therefore Deacons may preach the worde Answere Philip was a Deacon of the Church at Ierusalem while they aboade togither but nowe hee was not anie more so but an Euangelist as he is euer tearmed after by vertue of which office he did preache 2 Obiection Steuen being a Deacon preached Act. 7. 2. Answere He preached not for all that is there was but his Apologie at the seate of iudgement which euery man in the like case may doe and which manie of the Martyrs haue done So that the former proposition beeing true vppon the groundes alleadged notwithstanding these obiections wee are to proceede to the seconde which is this There ought to be such Deacons as are described in the former proposition in euerie congregation whiche is thus prooued 1 That office which euerie congregation hath neede of ought to be in euerie congregation But euery congregation hath neede of the Deacons office whiche appeareth by this that they haue poore to prouide for or els they must regard the necessitie of others and the liberalitie of others to distribute Therefore Deacons ought to be in euery congregation 2 That whiche is indefinitely appointed for the good of the Churche belongeth vnto euery Congregation as well as to anie one But such is the appointment of the Deacons 1. Tim. 3. 8. Therefore there must be Deacons in euery Congregation 3 Euery Church ought to haue their office of Deaconshippe 4 All the reasons or the most of them that are alleadged chap. 10. for a Bishop in euery congregation and chap. 12. for Elders in euery congregation are forcible herevnto Therefore if there bee the like neede of Deacons in one congregation that is in another if they be appointed indefinitely for the good of the Church if euery church must haue their office of Deaconship and lastlie if there be like reasons to prooue them belong to euery Church that be for Bishops and Elders then must it needes followe that there ought to be Deacons in euery congregation CHAP. 14. THere ought to bee in euery Congregation an Eldershipp consisting of a pastor or pastors Doctor if there be anie and Elders whose authoritie Christ hath ordayned to be perpetuall in his church to gouuerne the same onely by the rules of Gods worde T. C. 1. booke pag. 175. Discip. Ecclesiast 123. which contayneth these 3. particular propositions defended by vs and gaynesayde by the Bishops and their adherents 1 The Eldership ought to be in euery Congregation 2 The office of the Eldership is perpetuall 3 The Church must be gouerned onely by the rules of Gods worde The first is denyed by them Whitgift page 627. and by their practize in tying the gouernement of many churches to the Bb. sea it is thus prooued 1 Whatsoeuer Christ hath ordayned as a meane to keepe men in obedience to the gospell that same must be in euerie congregation for particular men are in particular congregations But Christ hath ordayned the Eldership for that end as appeareth Matth. 18. 15. c. where Chrisost expoundeth Tell the Church that is sayeth hee the Gouuernours of the Church Therefore the Eldershippe ought to bee in euery Church 2 Where all sortes of Elders ought to be there must be also the ioyning of their offices in one for the good of that cōgregation ouer which they are placed But all sortes of Elders ought to be in euerie congregation as is prooued in the 10. chapter for Bishops the 12. for Elders c. Therfore there must be an Eldership in euery congregation 3 If no particular congregation haue greater priuiledges giuen therevnto by the worde of God then others haue then must there eyther be no Eldershipp at all whiche is false in that Elders are prooued to bee by the worde of God in the Church or els it must be in euery congregation But euerie congregation is of like priuiledge whiche appeareth by this that it is a perfect bodie of it selfe Therefore there must bee an Eldership in euery congregation 4 The same warrant that is in the worde of God for to haue an Eldership in one place is a warraunt for it in all for the worde of God tyeth it not to Churches in cities but indefinitely to the church But there is warrant for it out of the worde to be somewhere as appeareth by this that the Apostles are sayd to establishe it and make mention of it Therefore it must be in euery congregation Therefore if the Eldership bee ordayned by Christ as a meanes to keepe men in obedience vnto the Gospell if all sortes of Elders must be in euery church if euery congregation be of equall priuiledges lastly if there be the like warrant for it in euery church that is in any then must it needes followe that there ought to be an Eldershipp in euerie Congregation What soeuer is obiected against this that hath any shew in it is answered in the 12. chap. of Elders The office of the Eldership is ordayned by Christe to bee perpetual and ordinarie for the gouernement of his church T. C. 1. booke 177. denied by them Whitgift 627. and by their practize in keeping it out but the trueth of it appeareth by these reasons that doe follow 1 If the causes why Christ would haue an Eldershippe in his Church be perpetuall then must also the thing it selfe be perpetuall But the causes are perpetuall which bee to gouuerne the church by the rules of his worde and that ecclesiastically Therefore the Eldership is perpetuall 2 If Christ be the author of the Eldership and left it by the Apostles to be established in the Church then it is perpetual for his commission giuen to the Apostles is to bee obserued vnto the ende of the worlde But Christ is the author of it as appeareth both by his giuing of the giftes for the particular members thereof and the whole body of it as also in that the Apostles did establishe it in the church who went not frō their commission 1. Cor. 11. 12. Therefore the Eldershippe is perpetuall 3 Whatsoeuer is the commandement of God once deliuered by him is neuer repealed againe and to be acknoweledged of euery spirituall man that same is to be receyued by the Church of God to be perpetuall But such is the gouernment of the church by Pastors Doctors and Elders and so of the whole Eldership as appeareth in that they are all mentioned in the writings of S. Paule whiche are so esteemed 1. Cor. 14. 37. Therefore the